How to Bleed Brakes

Servicing your brakes is one of the most important aspects of vehicle maintenance and keeps both you and other Richmond drivers safe. However, sometimes air gets stuck in your braking system and needs to be released in order for your brakes to work properly. Although bleeding your brakes is quite an easy process, it can be very time-consuming if you’ve never done it before.

To properly bleed your brakes, we highly recommend scheduling service with our experienced brake repair technicians at Jack Burford Chevrolet, Inc. to make sure it’s done right. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us anytime! So, how do you bleed brakes? Learn more with the experts at Jack Burford Chevrolet,inc. below.

The Importance of Bleeding Brakes

Although it might seem overwhelming, learning how to bleed brakes is critical to their overall operation. Fluid enters the braking system as a result of moisture resistance as the brake fluid wears out and starts absorbing water. Additionally, air can also enter the braking system, making the pedal feel soft when applying the brake.

Bleeding Brakes By Yourself

Bleeding brakes by yourself is quite a time consuming task. You’ll need brake fluid, a box-end wrench, fluid holder, tubing, and a helper. Now just follow these steps:

Step 1:

Consult your owner’s manual to ensure you’ve purchased the right type of brake fluid. It’s important to know which one to use, as there are various different types to choose from. Your owner’s manual will tell you exactly what type to purchase.

Step 2:

Jack your vehicle up and remove the wheels. Be sure that you are on level ground.

Step 3:

Locate the caliper bleeding screws and loosen them. If the screws don’t loosen right away, it’s important not to force it. Use a penetrating oil and wait about a half-hour before trying again. If the screws snap or become stripped, we recommend taking it to our service center.

Step 4:

Once you loosen the screws, tighten them again. It’s important to remember that learning how to bleed brakes by yourself is a time consuming process, as you need to bleed one brake at a time. To prevent any air bubbles, the other three screws need to be tight.

Step 5:

Open the hood and find the master cylinder so you can check the reservoir’s level. It’s important to unscrew the master cylinder. You’ll first want to find the brake that is farthest from the master cylinder. However, it is important to check your owner’s manual, as the manufacturer might suggest a different method.

Step 6:

Next, you need a piece of ¼ clear tubing, secure one end over the bleeder screw. The other end of the tubing should be placed in a bottle or bucket. If you visit your local Winchester auto parts store, you’ll be able to find an inexpensive brake bleeding kit. The tubing just needs to reach the catch container when placed above the bleeder screw. This prevents any air caught from heading back to the caliper.

Step 7:

For this step, you’ll need someone to assist you. Ensure the engine is off, and ask your helper to pump the brakes until they feel the pedal pushing back. Ask them to keep their foot on the brake while you open the bleeder screw. You should see fluid moving through the tube, and your helper should notice that the pedal will begin dropping closer to the floor. Ask your assistant to continue applying pressure to the pedal.

Step 8:

Ask your helper to let you know just before the pedal hits the floor, and immediately close the bleeder screw. You should then check the master fluid reservoir, as fresh brake fluid may need to be added.

Step 9:

You should repeat the aforementioned steps five times with the same bleeder screw or until there are no bubbles in the stream.

Step 10:

You should then do steps 7,8, and 9 in the appropriate order, beginning bleeding the screw that is furthest away from the master cylinder.

Step 11:

Now that you know how to bleed brakes, it’s important to check the fluid again. You should ask your helper to hit the brake pedal and release it quickly. During this, you should keep an eye on the master cylinder, making sure there isn’t any air in the system. If there is any air, you’ll notice some bubbling. However, if the fluid moves slightly, you’ve completely bled the brakes.

Step 12:

Finally, make sure each bleeder screw is tightened before putting the wheels back on. It’s important not to force it, and instead apply minimal pressure to secure them.

Service Your Brakes at Jack Burford Chevrolet, Inc.

Even though you know how to bleed brakes, you may not be prepared to take on this task yourself. If so, we recommend scheduling service with our technicians in Richmond to make sure you’re ready to hit the road with confidence. Be sure to take advantage of our service offers to save on brake service.